Manhole extension

ABSTRACT

A manhole cover holder extension mountable in any one of several vertically adjustable positions in a manhole cover holder for holding a manhole cover in a raised position upon the raising of the top surface of a road by the adding of a top layer of asphalt or the like over the top surface of the original road.

United States Patent Inventor Louis E. Levinson Dallas, Tex. Appl. No.47,654 Filed June 19, 1970 Patented Oct. 12, 1971 Assignee InternationalManufacturing Company Garland, Tex.

MANHOLE EXTENSION 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 94/34, 220/ 3.7 Int. Cl E02d 29/14 Field of Search 248/D1G. 6,274, 239, 243; 220/34, 37; 52/21 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 1,275,725 8/1918 Newton 220/37 1,751,194 3/1930 Elsy 94/342,445,197 7/1948 Wiesmann a 94/34 X 2,593,918 4/1952 Redman 94/343,246,582 4/1966 Wade 94/34 X Primary Examiner-Jacob L. NackenoffAtt0rneyWalter J. J agmin ABSTRACT: A manhole cover holder extensionmountable in any one of several vertically adjustable positions in amanhole cover holder for holding a manhole cover in a raised positionupon the raising of the top surface of a road by the adding of a toplayer of asphalt or the like over the top surface of the original road.

PATENTED mm 1 2.12m 39 611.889

INVENTOR. LOUIS E. Levlnson ATTORNEY MANHOLE EXTENSION This inventionrelates to roads and more particularly to an extension for a manholecover holder.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved manholecover holder or support for supporting a manhole cover at the level ofthe top surface of a roadbed at locations wherein the usual originalmanhole cover holder would cause the manholeoover to be positioned belowthe top surface of the road.

Another object is to provide a manhole cover holder extension whosecylindrical body, provided at its upper portion with an annular upwardlyfacing support surface for supporting peripheral portions of a manholecover, has vertically adjustable support means thereon for engaging anupwardly facing surface of the original manhole cover holder to positionthe support surface in any one of a plurality of vertically adjustedpositions relative to the original cover holder whereby the top surfaceof the cover may be positioned in substantially the same place as thetop surface of the road.

Still another object is to provide a manhole cover holder extensionhaving a plurality of sets of vertically and circumferentially spacedapertures and support means, such as brackets, securable to the exteriorof the extension in any one of a plurality of vertically adjustedpositions for supporting the extension in the original cover holder.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readilyapparent from the reading of the following description of a deviceconstructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to theaccompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

P16. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a manhole having the originalusual manhole cover holder, the extension embodying the invention, andthe cover;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the extension;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the extension; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing the extension in position inthe original cover holder and supporting a manhole cover.

Referring now particularly to the drawings, the manhole cover holderextension embodying the invention is shown as used with a manhole coverholder for holding a manhole cover 12 in a position substantially inhorizontal alignment with the top surface of a orad 14. The cover holder11 is of a conventional type having a bottom annular plate 15 whichextends radially outwardly from the bottom portion of its verticalcylindrical body 16. The body at its upper end has an upper externalflange 17 which extends radially outwardly from the top edge of thecylindrical body. Circumferentially spaced vertical brace plates 18extend radially outwardly from the cylindrical body and are connected tothe top flange 17 and the bottom plate 15. The body 16, the flange 17,the plate 16 and the brace plates 18 are integral.

The bottom flange 15 is secured to the cylindrical liner 20 of themanhole which is formed of concrete and opens at its bottom end to adrainage pipe, utility conduit and the like. The liner 20 has bolts 21embedded therein which extend upwardly through suitable apertures in thebottom plate 15 of the manhole cover holder 11. The cover holder issecured to the bolts and the liner by means of nuts 22 threaded on theupper ends of the bolts.

Preferably, the top level of the concrete road 23 is integral with themanhole liner 20 and the concrete may extend into the spaces between thebottom plate 15 and the top flange 17 and between the reinforcing braceplates 18. The top surface of the road 23 at the time the road 23 isbuilt is made flush or level with the top surface of the top flange 17of the manhole cover holder 10.

The manhole cover holder has an internal annular flange 26 on which theouter peripheral flange surfaces of the manhole cover 12 are adapted torest to hold the manhole cover as substantially the same level the topsurface of the manhole cover and the top surface of the concrete road23.

As the concrete road wears, it is often times necessary to cover theconcrete road'with a layer 30 of asphalt or the like, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 4. In this case, if the manhole cover 12 still rests uponthe internal annular'flange 26 of the manhole cover holder originallyinstalled and secured to the road 23 and the manhole liner 20,obviously, the top surface thereof will be substantially below the topsurface of the asphalt layer. As a result, the wheels of vehiclestraveling over the road will drop down into the depressions. thus formedand cause accidents and damage to the vehicles.

The manhole cover holder extension 10 is used to support the manholecover at a raised position so that its surface will be at the same levelor in the same plane as the top surface 0 the added asphalt coating orlayer 30. The extension 10 includes a cylindrical body 32 provided withseveral sets 33a, 33b....33n of radial apertures 34. The apertures ofeach set 33a-33n are preferably not aligned vertically, but incircumferentially staggered relation so that no aperture 34 of a set 33is directly above or below anotheraperture 34 of the set.

A plurality of angle support brackets 36 aremounted on th tubular bodyby means of bolts 37 each of which extends through an aperture 34 whichis aligned with an aperture of the vertical leg 39 of one of thebrackets 36. Nuts 40 are threaded on the outer ends of the boltstorigidly secure the brackets 36 to the tubular body 32. The verticalportions 39 of the mount brackets may of course be arcuate to conform tothe outer cylindrical configuration of the body 32.

It will be apparent that the holes 34 of the several sets of holes 33aare aligned horizontally so that the brackets 36 are secured incircumferentially spaced horizontal alignment on the body 32 by means ofthe bolts 37, the horizontal portions 41 of the brackets will lie in acommon horizontal plane.

The upper end of the tubular body 32 is provided with'an externalannular horizontal flange 44 which in turn is provided at its outer edgewith a circular vertical flange 45-. The inner cylindrical surface ofthe vertical flange is of greater diameter than the external diameter ofthe manhole cover 12 so that the manhole cover, as illustrated in FIG.4, may'telescope in the peripheral flange 45 and its outer bottomperipheralsurface may rest on the horizontal annular upwardly facingsurface of the flange 44.

The outer ends of the horizontal legs or'portions 41 of the mountbrackets 36 are spaced inwardly of the vertical annular surface 49 ofthe tubular body 16 of the manhole cover holder so that the assembly ofthe extension 10 and the brackets 36 may be telescoped downwardly intothe manhole cover holder until the bottom surfaces of the horizontalflanges 41 engage and rest upon the top surface of the internal flange26 of the holder.

The tubular body 32 of the extension is also provided with a pluralityof sets 51 of apertures 52. Screws 54 may be threaded through a selectedone of the holes-52 of each set 51 so that the outwardly protrudingshanks of the screws 54 will extend below the flange 26 and engage it tolimit upward movement of the extension.

In use, when it is found necessary or desirable to cover the originalconcrete street or road 23 with a top layer of asphalt 30, the asphaltis layed over the top surface of the top flange 17 of the manhole coversupport 16 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The brackets 36 are then rigidlysecured to: the tubular body 32 of the extension at such verticalpositions thereon as to cause the top edge of the peripheral flange '45of the extension to be in substantially the same plane as the topsurface of the layer of asphalt when the extension 10' istelescoped intothe holder 11. It may be necessary at this time to-remove an annu larportion of the asphalt above the top flange to receive the outer portionof the horizontal support flange 44 and the vertical flange 45.

The screws 54 are then threaded in the apertures 52 and thereafter theextension will be in position to support themanhole cover with its stopsurface substantially in the plane of the top surface of the asphaltlayer 30.

If desired, the sets 51 of holes 52 may be omitted and thee xtensionheld in place merely by its weight and also the weight of the manholecover. Alternatively, retainer screws may be positioned in some of theapertures 34 which are disposed below the internal flange 26 to preventupward movement of the extension relative to the holder 11.

If desired, the annular space 55 between the flanges 26 and 44 outwardlyof the body may also be filled with asphalt or other suitable plasticsubstance which will set or harden after the extension has been placedin position in the manhole cover support 15.

It will now be seen that it will be apparent that the extension 10, thebolts 37 and brackets 36 are formed of steel of sufficient strength tosupport the loads imposed on the manhole cover as the wheels of vehiclespass thereover.

It will also be apparent that while the brackets 36 have been shownmounted on the tubular body for supporting the extension on the flange26 of the usual manhole cover holder, a solid ring may be employed forthis purpose.

It will now be seen that a new and improved extension has beenillustrated and described which may be positioned at any suitablevertically adjusted position in the usual manhole cover holder orsupport in order that it may support the manhole cover at a desiredhigher position as necessitated by the thickness of an additional layeror layers of asphalt which may be added to the original road or street.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, andchanges in the details of the construction illustrated may be made bythose skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims,without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent l. Anextension for a manhole cover holder, the holder having an internalannular upwardly facing support surface on which peripheral portions ofa circular manhole cover are adapted to rest to support the top surfaceof the cover at substantially the plane of the top surface of road, saidextension including: a cylindrical body telescopical through a manholecover holder and having a plurality of sets of circumferentially andvertically spaced apertures; support means securable by means of saidapertures of said cylindrical body in vertically adjustable locationsthereon by means of connector means extending through selected ones ofsaid apertures of said sets, said support means being engageable withthe support means of the holder for holding said tubular body againstdownward movement in said holder, said body having an external annularhorizontal flange at its upper portion providing an annular upwardlyfacing support surface and a peripheral vertical flange extendingupwardly from said horizontal flange, said horizontal flange providingan upwardly facing annular support surface engageable by peripheralportions of the bottom surface of a manhole cover telescopical in saidvertical flange for supporting the manhole cover.

2. The extension of claim 1, and retainer means securable to saidcylindrical body and extendable outwardly thereof for engaging saidholder to limit upward movement of said extension in said holder.

3. The extension of said claim 2, wherein said support means comprises aplurality of angle brackets each having a vertical portion abutting theexternal surface of said cylindrical body and a bottom horizontal flangeextending outwardly therefrom.

4. The extension of claim 3, said connecting means comprising boltsextendable through said apertures and aligned apertures provided saidvertical portions of said brackets.

5. The extension of claim 4, wherein said retainer means comprises aplurality of sets of vertically spaced openings provided in saidcylindrical body and means extendable through said openings to extendoutwardly of said cylindrical body and spaced below said horizontalbottom flanges of said support brackets.

1. An extension for a manhole cover holder, the holder having aninternal annular upwardly facing support surface on which peripheralportions of a circular manhole cover are adapted to rest to support thetop surface of the cover at substantially the plane of the top surfaceof road, said extension including: a cylindrical body telescopicalthrough a manhole cover holder and having a plurality of sets ofcircumferentially and vertically spaced apertures; support meanssecurable by means of said apertures of said cylindrical body invertically adjustable locations thereon by means of connector meansextending through selected ones of said apertures of said sets, saidsupport means being engageable with the support means of the holder forholding said tubular body against downward movement in said holder, saidbody having an external annular horizontal flange at its upper portionproviding an annular upwardly facing support surface and a peripheralvertical flange extending upwardly from said horizontal flange, saidhorizontal flange providing an upwardly facing annular support surfaceengageable by peripheral portions of the bottom surface of a manHolecover telescopical in said vertical flange for supporting the manholecover.
 2. The extension of claim 1, and retainer means securable to saidcylindrical body and extendable outwardly thereof for engaging saidholder to limit upward movement of said extension in said holder.
 3. Theextension of said claim 2, wherein said support means comprises aplurality of angle brackets each having a vertical portion abutting theexternal surface of said cylindrical body and a bottom horizontal flangeextending outwardly therefrom.
 4. The extension of claim 3, saidconnecting means comprising bolts extendable through said apertures andaligned apertures provided said vertical portions of said brackets. 5.The extension of claim 4, wherein said retainer means comprises aplurality of sets of vertically spaced openings provided in saidcylindrical body and means extendable through said openings to extendoutwardly of said cylindrical body and spaced below said horizontalbottom flanges of said support brackets.